Maritime Freight Transport Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025) | USD 599.78 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 783.94 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 5.50% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
|
Maritime Freight Transport Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Maritime Freight Transport Market size is estimated at USD 599.78 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 783.94 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Sustained expansion springs from resilient global trade volumes, the rerouting of vessels around congestion and conflict zones that inflates ton-mile demand, and the accelerating shift of cargo toward South-South corridors that intensify intra-Asian flows[1]“China’s Pinglu Canal Investment,” Carnegie Endowment, carnegieendowment.org. Compliance with the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) adds USD 206 per metric ton to operating costs in 2025 but simultaneously accelerates fleet renewal toward low-carbon tonnage, supporting long-run competitiveness[2]“Compliance Costs of Alternative Fuels,” Sustainable Ships, sustainable-ships.org. Alliance realignments such as the Gemini Cooperation between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd recalibrate slot allocation across East-West lanes, raising schedule reliability targets to 90% and sharpening service differentiation. Digital freight platforms that now govern more than 80% of container transactions provide real-time capacity balancing, cut average dwell time by 12%, and help carriers monetize empty repositioning legs.
Key Report Takeaways
- By cargo type, dry bulk captured 29% of the Maritime freight transport market share in 2024, while liquid bulk is advancing at a 4.10% CAGR through 2030.
- By end-user industry, manufacturing & consumer goods held 28% of the Maritime freight transport market size in 2024, whereas pharmaceuticals & healthcare are expanding at a 5.50% CAGR to 2030.
- By geography, Asia-Pacific commanded a 38% revenue share of the Maritime freight transport market in 2024 and is forecast to post a 5.10% CAGR to 2030.
Global Maritime Freight Transport Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surge in South-South intra-Asian trade corridors | +1.2% | Asia-Pacific core, spill-over to Middle East | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Near-shoring drives short-sea feeder demand | +0.8% | North America & EU, regional corridors | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| EU-ETS on maritime emissions reshapes fleet economics | +0.6% | Europe & EU waters, global fleet impact | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Digital freight platforms enable real-time capacity matching | +0.4% | Global, concentrated in major trade lanes | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Alternative fuels adoption lowers long-term OPEX | +0.3% | Global, early adoption in Europe & Japan | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Suez diversions & Panama expansion boost ton-miles | +0.9% | Global, particularly Asia-Europe routes | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Surge in South-South Intra-Asian Trade Corridors
ASEAN surpassed the European Union as China’s top trading partner in 2023 at USD 468.8 billion, a 10.5% jump that cements intra-Asian cargo loops as the new growth engine. Progressive tariff eliminations under ACFTA streamline flows that bypass Western transshipment hubs, while China’s 84-mile Pinglu Canal slated for 2026 will move 89 million tons annually and slice USD 725 million from supply-chain costs[3]“Maritime Cybersecurity Review,” ArXiv, arxiv.org. Manufacturing migration toward Southeast Asia reinforces near-port industrial clusters, amplifying feeder demand to secondary gateways. The resulting cargo density underpins scale investments in 15,000 TEU workhorses optimized for shorter hauls yet higher turn-round frequencies. Collectively, these dynamics contribute an estimated 1.2 percentage-points to the Maritime freight transport market CAGR forecast period.
Near-shoring Drives Short-Sea Feeder Demand
U.S.-Mexico truck crossings hit record levels in 2024, validating near-shoring’s spillover into Gulf and Caribbean feeder loops. Mainline carriers now skip smaller Gulf ports, contracting regional specialists for hub-and-spoke shuttles that compress door-to-door cycles by two to four days. X-Press Feeders’ pact with six European ports to create green corridors exemplifies operators capturing rising short-sea volumes while satisfying Scope 3 emission objectives. Executives cite logistics cost reduction as the single largest incentive, with 41% prioritizing proximity over global scale. Elevated demand lifts vessel utilization and daily charter rates for 1,500-2,000 TEU ships, translating into a 0.8 percentage-point uptick in the Maritime freight transport market growth trajectory.
EU-ETS on Maritime Emissions Reshapes Fleet Economics
The maritime extension of the EU ETS could saddle ship-owners with EUR 10 billion in annual compliance costs, fundamentally redefining route economics for intra-European services. CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and COSCO collectively face USD 34.4 billion in liabilities through 2050, accelerating the payback of dual-fuel retrofits. Bio-methanol attains cost parity at EUR 90-100 per tCO₂, making methanol-ready newbuilds a strategic hedge against future allowance spikes. Carbon-optimized network design triggers port-pair substitutions favoring longer yet ETS-exempt legs, modestly widening ton-mile demand. Such shifts inject 0.6 percentage-points into the Maritime freight transport market CAGR by 2030.
Digital Freight Platforms Enable Real-Time Capacity Matching
E-booking platforms now orchestrate over 80% of container bookings, giving shippers spot-rate transparency and carriers algorithmic allocation of empty repositioning. Predictive analytics trims fuel burn by optimizing speed curves, while IoT-driven asset telemetry curbs average container dwell time by 12%. CMA CGM’s AI-enriched platform elevates quote-to-book cycle speed, translating into higher load factors and revenue quality. Digital twins replicate terminal operations, allowing operators to pre-empt congestion and redeploy yard assets. The technology stack adds 0.4 percentage-points to the Maritime freight transport market growth rate through operational efficiency gains.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic port-side infrastructure bottlenecks | -1.1% | Global, concentrated in Asia-Pacific hubs | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Oversupply risk from record container-ship orderbook 2023-26 | -0.9% | Global container shipping capacity | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Escalating maritime cyber-security threats | -0.4% | Global, critical in digitalized operations | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Inflation-driven bunker price volatility | -0.6% | Global, acute in fuel-intensive routes | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Chronic Port-Side Infrastructure Bottlenecks
Congestion peaked in 2025 as Singapore and Colombo absorbed Cape-routed vessels, causing yard utilization to exceed 90% and average berth wait times to triple. Shanghai processed a record 5 million TEU in January 2025 ahead of U.S. tariff enactments, stressing yard equipment even after adding 18 fully automated terminals. Los Angeles and Long Beach struggle with chassis shortages, while the Malacca Strait faces geopolitical disruptions and climate-driven draft limitations. Investment lags in gate automation and hinterland rail links hamper cargo velocity, subtracting 1.1 percentage-points from the Maritime freight transport market’s long-run CAGR.
Oversupply Risk from Record Container-Ship Orderbook 2023-26
Delivery of 3.1 million TEU across 478 ships in 2024 pushes total fleet capacity beyond 30 million TEU, dwarfing projected demand gains of 3-4%. MSC’s orderbook alone exceeds 2 million TEU, intensifying competitive pressure even after widespread slow-steaming cut average speeds to 13.9 knots. A flood of large vessels forces cascading of older Panamax units into secondary trades, suppressing rate benchmarks and eroding operator margins. Carriers counteract by scrapping younger tonnage and blank-sailing deployments, yet the imbalance still trims 0.9 percentage-points from the Maritime freight transport market CAGR outlook.
Segment Analysis
By Cargo Type: Bulk Leadership Sustains While Liquid Accelerates
Dry bulk holds the lion’s share, accounting for 29% of Maritime freight transport market size in 2024 on the back of China’s 165 million-ton iron-ore and coal restocking drive. However, a 36 million dwt delivery slate scheduled for 2025 risks dampening TCE rates despite robust tonnage demand growth. Operators therefore pivot to index-linked charters to mitigate downside exposure. Overcapacity fears spur early scrapping of Handysize vessels, constraining supply in niche routes and moderating rate compression.
Liquid bulk is the standout growth engine, posting a 4.10% CAGR through 2030 as LNG liquefaction volumes scale and chemicals trades diversify. Spot VLCC earnings are forecast at USD 51,600 per day for 2025, stimulating time-charter interest among energy majors. Tanker owners install dual-fuel capability to capture green-premium cargoes, while port operators invest in cryogenic export arms to service ammonia-ready tonnage. The strengthening liquid bulk trajectory adds needed diversity to the Maritime freight transport market, cushioning volatility in other cargo streams.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By End-User Industry: Manufacturing Dominance with Healthcare Momentum
Manufacturing & consumer goods contributed 28% of the Maritime freight transport market size in 2024, reinforcing maritime’s role in global production networks. Electronics & semiconductors remain exposed to supply-chain fragility, prompting the United States to allocate USD 52.7 billion for reshoring, which may shift cargo patterns toward U.S. West Coast ports. Chemical & petrochemical cargoes exploit tight tanker capacity, with fleet growth surpassing 5% to 5,838 ships.
Pharmaceuticals & healthcare clock the fastest 5.50% CAGR through 2030 as shippers shift high-value biologics to ocean modes, leveraging superior temperature stability that now covers 35% of global drug logistics. Reefer container retrofits featuring controlled-atmosphere technology extend shelf life, making ocean a viable substitute for airfreight. Carriers capitalize by launching direct West Europe-U.S. Gulf pharma corridors with strict lane-integrity protocols, reinforcing the Maritime freight transport market as a critical facilitator of healthcare supply chains.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
Geography Analysis
Asia-Pacific commands 38% of Maritime freight transport market share in 2024 and is set to expand at a 5.10% CAGR to 2030, buoyed by 57% intra-regional trade dependence that diversifies growth away from Western demand cycles. Shanghai’s automation blueprint-18 fully unmanned terminals—cuts crane moves per hour variance and sets new benchmarks for berth productivity. China’s Pinglu Canal, capable of handling 89 million tons a year by 2026, will reduce inland transit bottlenecks and save USD 725 million annually[4]“India-Middle East-Europe Corridor,” AMTORG, amtorg.org.
North America confronts a rare 1% contraction in container throughput as tariff realignments and Section 301 levies raise costs on Chinese-built vessels beginning October 2025. Yet Mexico’s trade renaissance offers partial offset, with near-shoring catalyzing Gulf feeder services and inland rail upgrades. Europe faces EUR 10 billion (USD 11.03 billion) annual ETS compliance costs that reprioritize corridor routing and bunker strategies. Simultaneously, green-corridor pilots position European ports as early-adoption nodes for alternative-fuel bunkering.
The Middle East leverages USD 4.5 billion in Saudi port investments to lift regional logistics revenue to USD 38.8 billion by 2026. IMEC promises to shorten Asia-Europe transit times by 40% via integrated rail-port linkages, underscoring the region’s role in multipolar trade flows. South America capitalizes on its neutral stance; Brazilian soybean exports to China expand under disrupted supply chains. Africa’s share gradually rises as Russia-Nigeria services unlock agricultural corridors for BRICS members.
Competitive Landscape
The Maritime freight transport market is moderately fragmented. MSC leads with 6.3 million TEU, growing 67% since 2020. The termination of the 2M Alliance frees MSC to deploy megamax vessels unilaterally, while the Gemini Cooperation between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd pools 340 ships with a 90% on-time reliability target. ONE, HMM, and Yang Ming form the Premier Alliance, challenging established slot-sharing norms and injecting fresh competition.
Strategic differentiation gravitates toward sustainability. Hapag-Lloyd’s USD 4 billion order for 24 methanol-ready ships capable of 95% CO₂e cuts underpins its “Strategy 2030” goal. Maersk pursues net-zero by 2040 through 800,000 TEU of methanol dual-fuel newbuilds, supported by green-methanol procurement partnerships. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ USD 1.715 billion buyout of LBC Tank Terminals diversifies revenue into chemical storage, insulating against pure freight-rate cyclicality.
Digital and cyber capabilities become decisive. CMA CGM invests USD 20 billion in U.S. logistics, rolling out AI-driven platforms that compress booking lead times. Hapag-Lloyd pilots blockchain to guarantee document integrity, reinforcing customer trust. Heightened cyber-risk pushes carriers to adopt ISO 27001 frameworks, adding compliance costs yet also raising competitive barriers. Regional specialists exploit white-space in high-growth niches; X-Press Feeders scales LNG-powered, 1,700 TEU tonnage for Baltic short-sea lanes, underscoring the agility advantages of smaller operators.
Maritime Freight Transport Industry Leaders
-
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
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A.P. Moller-Maersk
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COSCO Shipping Lines
-
Hapag-Lloyd
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Ocean Network Express (ONE)
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- March 2025: CMA CGM unveiled a USD 20 billion program to upgrade U.S. maritime infrastructure and create 10,000 jobs.
- March 2025: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines completed its USD 1.715 billion purchase of LBC Tank Terminals, adding 3 million m³ of chemical storage.
- February 2025: Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd launched the Gemini Cooperation, fielding 340 vessels on East-West trades.
- February 2025: MSC’s box-ship orderbook exceeded 2 million TEU, cementing capacity leadership.
Global Maritime Freight Transport Market Report Scope
Maritime freight transport refers to a means of transport where goods are transported via sea routes. In some cases, maritime transport can encompass pre- and post-shipping activities. The report provides a complete background analysis of the global marine freight transport market, including an assessment of the economy, a market overview, market size estimation for key segments, emerging market trends, market dynamics, and key company profiles. The report also covers the impact of COVID-19 on the sector.
The maritime freight transport market is segmented by type (containerized and non-containerized) and geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The report offers market size and forecasts for the maritime freight transport market in value (USD) for all the above segments.
| Containerized Cargo | Dry |
| Reefer | |
| Dry Bulk Cargo | |
| Liquid Bulk Cargo | |
| General Cargo | |
| Roll-On/Roll-Off Cargo |
| Electronics & Semiconductors |
| Chemicals & Petrochemicals |
| Food & Beverage |
| Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare |
| Retail & E-commerce |
| Others |
| North America | United States |
| Canada | |
| Mexico | |
| South America | Brazil |
| Peru | |
| Chile | |
| Argentina | |
| Rest of South America | |
| Asia-Pacific | India |
| China | |
| Japan | |
| Australia | |
| South Korea | |
| South East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Philippines) | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
| Europe | United Kingdom |
| Germany | |
| France | |
| Spain | |
| Italy | |
| BENELUX (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg) | |
| NORDICS (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) | |
| Rest of Europe | |
| Middle East and Africa | United Arab of Emirates |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| South Africa | |
| Nigeria | |
| Rest of Middle East And Africa |
| By Cargo Type | Containerized Cargo | Dry |
| Reefer | ||
| Dry Bulk Cargo | ||
| Liquid Bulk Cargo | ||
| General Cargo | ||
| Roll-On/Roll-Off Cargo | ||
| By End-User Industry | Electronics & Semiconductors | |
| Chemicals & Petrochemicals | ||
| Food & Beverage | ||
| Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare | ||
| Retail & E-commerce | ||
| Others | ||
| By Geography | North America | United States |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| South America | Brazil | |
| Peru | ||
| Chile | ||
| Argentina | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| Asia-Pacific | India | |
| China | ||
| Japan | ||
| Australia | ||
| South Korea | ||
| South East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Philippines) | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| Europe | United Kingdom | |
| Germany | ||
| France | ||
| Spain | ||
| Italy | ||
| BENELUX (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg) | ||
| NORDICS (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| Middle East and Africa | United Arab of Emirates | |
| Saudi Arabia | ||
| South Africa | ||
| Nigeria | ||
| Rest of Middle East And Africa | ||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
How big is the maritime freight transport market in 2025?
It is valued at USD 599.78 billion and is forecast to grow to USD 783.94 billion by 2030.
What is the projected CAGR for maritime freight transport through 2030?
The compound annual growth rate is 5.50%.
Which cargo type leads seaborne volumes?
Dry bulk holds 29% share, led by iron ore and coal flows into China.
Which region contributes the largest share of maritime trade?
Asia-Pacific accounts for 38% of 2024 revenue and remains the fastest-growing region.
What is driving growth in pharmaceuticals shipping by sea?
Temperature-controlled reefer technology makes ocean transport cost-effective for sensitive biologics, lifting the segment at a 5.50% CAGR.
How is regulation affecting fleet investment?
EU ETS compliance pushes owners toward dual-fuel newbuilds, accelerating green fleet renewal across major trades.
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